read his report as follows:—
To the President and Deputies.
I beg to present a short Report of the work performed by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for the period of three months from 14th January, 1922, to the 14th day of April, 1922.
Land Settlement Commission.—The Courts of the Land Settlement Commission have been functioning regularly, and have dealt with a large number of cases in various parts of the country, during the period under review.
As shown in Appendix A., Courts have been held in the counties of Cork, Carlow, Galway, Kilkenny, Leix, Limerick, Longford, Mayo, Offaly, Roscommon, Tipperary, and Westmeath, in addition to the Courts of the Emergency and Appeal Divisions, which were held in Dublin, involving the Ownership and Transfer of a total area of 13,792 acres.
Inspection and Valuation.—As shown in Appendix B., over 5,000 acres in various parts of the country have been inspected and valued and in some instances sub-divided by the Inspectors of the Land Settlement Commission.
These inspections were necessary in order to supply the Commisioners with sufficient expert and impartial evidence to arrive at an equitable decision in each of the several cases.
In addition to the cases enumerated under this heading, there are also a number of others on which the Inspectors are at present engaged, but no figures in respect of these latter are included in this Report.
National Land Bank, Ltd.—At the commencement of the period under review, I found that the National Land Bank had something like 5,000 Acres of land ready for immediate sub-division. It was necessary to secure the services of experienced Surveyors and Valuers to carry out this work, and in conjunction with the Officials of the Bank, I succeeded in obtaining, on loan, a number of officials from the Irish Land Commission to carry out this work.
This experiment has proved successful, and, as is shown in Appendix C, over 6,000 acres have been demarcated and divided, and 230 families or landless men have been provided with new Holdings, or with additional Allotments.
Agricultural Labour Disputes.—During the period in question, the Department had not many cases of Agricultural Disputes between employers and employees—the majority of cases of this nature being dealt with by the Department of Labour.
A grave dispute in County Wexford between a local Branch of the Irish Farmers' Union and the Irish Transport and General Workers' Union was effectively dealt with. The area affected was a large one, embracing twelve Parishes in North Wexford, and prior to the Arbitration things had assumed an ugly aspect. However, an amicable settlement was arrived at, and no complaints have so far, as a result, been made.
There are a few cases pending Arbitration in the County Cork, and as soon as the necessary Submission Forms have been returned by the contestant parties, the conciliation will be proceeded with.
The condition of agriculture generally is most unsatisfactory.
Land Purchase, for a variety of reasons, is nearly at a standstill. The finances of the 1909 Act which were never sound are now on the point of breaking down. Ireland cannot afford to finance future Land Purchase on the lines of the 1909 Act, but at the same time, the success of any future scheme must depend largely on the financial credit of the nation. To devise a scheme for the continuance of Land Purchase in place of the existing ones which are worked out, is a primary necessity, but at present this cannot be done because, while present unsettled conditions continue, the necessary money cannot be found.
Prices of agricultural produce tend to fall below the cost of production, and transit charges are exorbitantly high. As a result, land is going out of cultivation. Compulsory tillage will not remedy this because it is making a beginning at the wrong end. New markets and new and more efficient methods are necessary. The Railway system and the inland waterways of the country must be overhauled. The development of an efficient dead meat trade which would make it profitable to raise beef and bacon instead of stores would mean an immediate and permanent increase in tillage and in the opportunities for employment that follow; besides being at least a partial insurance against a loss of the English Markets in the event of the entry of Canadian stores. The projected Factory at Waterford has not yet materialised, and the Drogheda Factory built and equipped with the most up-to-date plant, at a cost of about £500,000 is idle. The fact is that this state of affairs is inevitable in present conditions. Agriculture is no exception to the rule that applies to industry generally. Trade and industry require peace and security for their development. The future of Irish agriculture is now completely in the hands of Irishmen. It is in grievous need of development but neither capital nor enterprise will be forthcoming while the present insecurity lasts.
APPENDIX A.
Return showing particulars of land Cases heard by Commissioners of the Land Settlement Commission (Department of Agriculture) during period January 14th, 1922—April 14th, 1922.
|
Name of County |
No. of Cases |
Area |
||
|
a. |
r. |
p. |
||
|
Cork |
2 |
66 |
1 |
26 |
|
Carlow |
2 |
547 |
2 |
25 |
|
Galway |
18 |
5,360 |
3 |
21 |
|
Kilkenny |
1 |
50 |
0 |
0 |
|
Leix |
3 |
344 |
0 |
0 |
|
Limerick |
2 |
401 |
2 |
19 |
|
Longford |
2 |
381 |
1 |
35 |
|
Mayo |
6 |
1,236 |
0 |
0 |
|
Offaly |
2 |
587 |
0 |
0 |
|
Roscommon |
7 |
2,598 |
1 |
29 |
|
Tipperary |
1 |
106 |
1 |
34 |
|
Westmeath |
7 |
2,113 |
0 |
0 |
|
13,792 |
3 |
29 |
APPENDIX B.
Return showing particulars of Lands inspected and valued by the Land Settlement Commission (Department of Agriculture) in the period 14th January, 1922—April 14th, 1922.
|
No. of Case |
County |
Estate |
Acreage |
||
|
a. |
r. |
p. |
|||
|
1 |
Carlow |
Kilmison |
25 |
0 |
0 |
|
2 |
,, |
Clona |
404 |
2 |
25 |
|
3 |
Clare |
Kilmore (Hickman Estate) |
500 |
0 |
0 |
|
4 |
Galway |
Renville |
288 |
0 |
0 |
|
5 |
,, |
Capira |
132 |
0 |
0 |
|
6 |
,, |
Gurtnamona |
388 |
2 |
22 |
|
7 |
,, |
Esker |
51 |
0 |
32 |
|
8 |
Leix |
Kilkelly Est. |
400 |
0 |
0 |
|
9 |
,, |
Curraghmore |
318 |
3 |
0 |
|
10 |
Longford |
Newtownflanagan |
321 |
1 |
35 |
|
11 |
,, |
Derrynagran |
283 |
0 |
0 |
|
12 |
Offaly |
Croghan and Ballybog |
300 |
0 |
0 |
|
13 |
Roscommon |
Coolusty |
405 |
0 |
0 |
|
14 |
,, |
Ardkeenan |
414 |
2 |
17 |
|
15 |
,, |
Mountflorence |
254 |
0 |
0 |
|
16 |
,, |
Bealnamilla |
64 |
0 |
0 |
|
17 |
,, |
Kilvoy |
98 |
0 |
0 |
|
18 |
,, |
Coraslira |
35 |
0 |
0 |
|
19 |
,, |
Lisnatea |
146 |
0 |
0 |
|
20 |
Sligo |
Ardagh |
180 |
0 |
0 |
|
5,000 |
1 |
11 |
APPENDIX C.
Return showing particulars of Holdings which have been divided by the National Land Bank with the assistance of Inspectors and Surveyors from the Land Commission.
|
No. of Case |
County |
Society |
Area |
No. of Members to whom lands have been allotted |
|
Acres |
||||
|
1 |
Galway |
Kilmeen and Leitrim |
743 |
19 |
|
2 |
,, |
Capratagle |
1,124 |
18 |
|
3 |
,, |
Ballyaluan |
1,113 |
50 |
|
4 |
Kilkenny |
Coolbawn |
122 |
7 |
|
5 |
Kildare |
Straffan |
133 |
7 |
|
6 |
Mayo |
Neale |
73 |
9 |
|
7 |
Offaly |
Ferbane |
1,109 |
50 |
|
8 |
,, |
Cloneygowan |
571 |
33 |
|
9 |
Roscommon |
Curraghboy |
449 |
26 |
|
10 |
,, |
Ballybride |
98 |
6 |
|
11 |
Westmeath |
Kilcleagh (Creeve) |
71 |
5 |
|
Total |
6,306 |
230 |
FISHERIES DEPARTMENT.
Sea Fisheries.—A period of acute depression has followed upon the fisherman's brief spell of apparent prosperity arising out of conditions brought about by the European War. With the exception, however, of a few cases, where a man already possessed suitable and well-equipped boats, the so-called “prosperity” was far from genuine, inasmuch as it involved the incurrence of heavy liability, by way of loans for boats and gear, at a time when prices were at their highest; and owing to the failure of the Fishery in the last couple of seasons, the instalments on such loans could not be discharged by the borrowers. Scores of valuable fishing boats are at present lying up in various harbours, their crews stating that with the price now obtainable for fish, it would not be possible to meet the loan instalments, and yet make a living. A very conservative estimate of the damage and depreciation which would accrue on Boats, Engines and Gear thus left lying up for an entire season would be £30,000 while the loan instalments amounting to some thousands more, would also be in arrear.
An Dáil has already assisted in the establishment of 5 Co-Operative Fishery Societies, but with one exception they have not been successes. Their failure was mainly due to their efforts to start operations at a period when the Black-and-Tan régime was at its height. Possibly also the isolated situation of [278] each of these Societies tended to prevent their existence having any real effect upon the industry as a whole. Some scheme of National Co-operation on a liberal scale must ultimately be faced. As a beginning, however, propaganda of an educative and stimulative nature must be set afoot among the public generally, as well as the Fishery folk, because without the creation of a suitable atmosphere no development in the case of an industry like this, which has been permitted to grow moribund, can be practicable. A scheme for such propaganda is under consideration at present, and in order to assure economy and to achieve something that shall be more than experimental, it is proposed to follow the lines which have proved successful in the case of countries like Norway, Denmark and Canada. With patient effort and reasonable help from State Funds this Industry can be rehabilitated and made to play a big part in a scheme of national economy.
A great number of complaints have been received during the past quarter, concerning the infraction of territorial limits, etc., by British and Belgian Steam Trawlers, as well as by French Fishing Smacks in pursuit of the Cray Fish and Lobster. Of course until an adequate service of Revenue Cutters, or Protection Vessels of some kind, has been provided, it is manifestly impossible to prevent such incursions into our Fishing Grounds. I may say here that the French Consul in Dublin has promised to do everything possible to prevent this.
The matter of developing the sale of fresh fish in Irish inland towns is also receiving attention. The Irish Railway Companies, nearly three months ago, promised revised rates for the carriage of fresh fish, but so far have failed to furnish them. The development of this inland trade is of the utmost importance, and it is better to have a slight initial delay than to set up some scheme, in haste, and find it unworkable later on.
Those Irish Exporters of Mackerel who trade with the U.S.A., are much exercised over the proposed Fordney Tariff, the effect of which, so far as Mackerel is concerned, would be to impose a duty of about 28/- per barrel, and this, of course, would kill the industry. The latest advices from the States, however, are to the effect that this Tariff Bill is not likely to go through this year, and indeed may not pass at all in its present form.
Inland Fisheries. The Irish Salmon and Trust Fisheries constitute a not inconsiderable part of the nation's potential wealth. With adequate preservation, and proper management, the annual value of the industry now standing at, roughly, £500,000, could be trebled.
At present, everyone who has, or believes he has, any interest in the fresh water fisheries, is seeking to have his own way, regardless of consequential damage to others, and complaints and suggestions innumerable have been received. As it is quite apparent that the present regulations governing Irish Inland Fisheries are interwoven into some very big questions of rights, prescriptive and otherwise, a decision has been made that, pending the holding of a thorough investigation into the whole question of our Inland Fisheries, which it is proposed to have made as soon as possible, the existing regulations must remain in force. That decision has been notified to all correspondents, and also published in the Press.
It is to be borne in mind that the function of a Fisheries Department is to conserve the Fisheries in a national sense, and not merely to arrange for their distribution as between one set of persons and another. Occasionally, however, it is possible to bring about the settlement of some such question in a friendly spirit, and this happened in the case of some rodmen on the upper reaches of the Slaney, who, early this year, sought certain concessions from a couple of right-holders. The settlement effected through this Department was regarded as satisfactory by all parties. An effort was also made to bring about an amicable settlement of a dispute between riparian proprietors and others on the lower reaches of the Slaney, but it did not prove successful.
An Act was passed through the British House of Commons, last autumn, authorising an increase of one hundred per cent. in Licence duties for fishery purposes. The original idea was not without merit; but, as some Boards of Conservators were not willing to make the increased charges, it became necessary to suspend the proposed increases, and let the old rates stand. This was accordingly done.
A considerable sum of money will be required, in the near future, to rehabilitate this industry, and so render it a national asset.